In 1779, Elizabeth WEBB (but now w/o John MILLER) purchased,
from Peter GISE, a tract of 130 acres for 800 pounds cm and
passed four bonds of 200 pounds each (witnessed by Joseph
WOOD and Peter BEARD) for payment; he thereby gave her immediate
possession.
Elizabeth married John Miller in 1781 but had paid off the
purchase money before her marriage. Peter Gise died and his
son, Nicholas GISE (who lived in Virginia), refused to convey
the said land until the balance of 30 pounds was paid.
Elizabeth and her husband borrowed from George DEVILBISS to pay
the balance. Joseph WOOD destroyed the deed which was made to
Elizabeth MILLER and fraudently had Nicholas GISE make a new
deed to Joseph WOOD and Peter BEARD of which Joseph WOOD
recorded in the records of Frederick County.
Afterwards, the Millers then saw an advertisement in April 1785
saying the 130 acres, on the plantation where they lived, would
be sold by Joseph WOOD and Peter BEARD.
A night or two before the sale, Thomas REYNOLDS, a constable of
the Hundred where the Millers resided (and a brother-in-law of
Joseph Wood), arrested John MILLER after he was in his bed by
a warrant granted by Joseph WOOD at the request of Thomas REYNOLDS
and directed Miller to appear at William BENTLEY's sale on Miller's
land. On the 13th of April, after the sale was over, Joseph WOOD
(a magistrate) very late in the evening, set up to public sale
for ready money, Miller's land when William BENTLEY bid 81 pounds;
Wood said it was too little and he would give 100 pounds and
then struck off the sale to himself. Wood then committed Miller
to goal (jail) under pretense he owed a dollar. Reynolds took
him in custody by foot, although he had a horse. After a mile
or so, a son of Bentley came and informed Reynolds he must take
Miller back to Wood; whereby, Wood demanded the bond of conveyance
which Wood and Beard had given to Elizabeth Miller. Wood claimed
he would send Miller to goal if he didn't hand it over. Miller,
describing himself as old and infirm, 60 years of age, and his
wife still older and more infirm, did so, because he knew Wood
had the power to carry out his threats. Wood then sold the
land to Daniel YANDERS for 150 pounds and then went to Millers
house in his absence and took all the goods and effects of the
Millers and put them in the cellar. Wood then turned over
possession to Yanders who refused to allow the Millers back on
the property to obtain their possessions.
Land - "Resurvey on Good Neighborhod", "Pleasant View".
(not recorded)
website by Dorinda Davis Shepley